Sebastian advisory committee elects Hall chair, approves FY2025–26 budget calendar; introduces new finance director

The Sebastian Budget Review Advisory Committee elected Harry Hall as chair, selected Grace Reed as vice chair and approved the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget calendar at a regularly scheduled meeting of the committee.

Committee members heard an introduction of Brian Stewart, the city’s newly hired chief financial officer, and staff described a calendar that places recommended capital improvement (CIP) and operating budget documents in committee members’ hands in early July and the council’s final public hearing, millage and budget adoption in late September.

The calendar matters because it sets the advisory board’s review milestones and the city’s internal deadlines for departments submitting CIP and operating requests. Staff told the committee they expect the city to receive certified property values (DR-420) on June 27, which narrows the window for any adjustments before July presentations and could affect revenue projections.

During introductions and nominations, Terry McGinn nominated Harry Hall for chair; the committee voted unanimously to elect Hall. For vice chair, members nominated Bill Milton, Grace Reed and Bruce Hoffman; after a roll-call-style vote the committee selected Grace Reed. The minutes of the August 19, 2024 meeting were approved by voice vote.

City staff explained that the council-approved calendar was adjusted slightly from the committee’s draft: first- and second-quarter budget reports that had been scheduled for the current meeting will instead be presented at the committee’s next meeting on May 5. Staff said departmental CIP submissions are due to the finance department by the end of the week and operating requests will follow.

Staff also briefed members on external risks that could affect the budget, including pending state legislation. Staff described proposals under consideration in Tallahassee that could affect both revenue and expenses — including property-tax-related measures and a bill to increase municipal tort caps (sovereign-immunity limits) that staff said has been filed and could raise the cap from current statutory levels to as much as $4,000,000. Committee members repeatedly emphasized caution in the months ahead.

Longtime committee member Terry McGinn urged fiscal restraint and prioritized projects that are “ready to go,” saying the committee should not budget next year for projects unlikely to start. “It’s really not the time to be, trying to beat the city down, but rather to lift the city up,” McGinn said.

Brian Stewart, the city’s finance director and chief financial officer, told the committee he has been on the job “3 or 4 weeks” and asked members for feedback on reporting formats and information that would be most useful to them. “I just look forward to working with all of you,” Stewart said.

Committee members discussed the city’s reserve policy, which staff said city council raised last year from $5,000,000 to $7,000,000. That reserve level and the outcomes of state legislative action were cited as key factors staff will consider as they prepare recommended operating budgets and CIP lists for committee review.

The committee set its next meeting for May 5. With those items complete, Chair Hall adjourned the meeting.